Canadian customs...proof of boat ownership

[Rol1964]

This is for my Canadian boat friends...a recent experience...when transiting the Canada USA border...led to a situation where the highly motivated customs agent asked me to prove that the boat parts on board my car, were in fact, from a boat that is, in fact mine. My boat papers generally stay on my boat. So I showed the agent images from my phone that (unbeknownst to me up to this point...) clearly indicated that they were NOT...actually proof of ownership. This guy really wanted to collect the $3.00 or so dollars that the government of Canada was entitled to. FFS!
To make a long winded story short here's my question:
What actual paperwork satisfies the Canadian customs request for proof of ownership? Is it the bill of sale?
Thanks for reading.
R

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Rol1964

This is for my Canadian boat friends...a recent experience...when transiting the Canada USA border...led to a situation where the highly motivated customs agent asked me to prove that the boat parts on board my car, were in fact, from a boat that is, in fact mine. My boat papers generally stay on my boat. So I showed the agent images from my phone that (unbeknownst to me up to this point...) clearly indicated that they were NOT...actually proof of ownership. This guy really wanted to collect the $3.00 or so dollars that the government of Canada was entitled to. FFS!
To make a long winded story short here's my question:
What actual paperwork satisfies the Canadian customs request for proof of ownership? Is it the bill of sale?
Thanks for reading.
R

So if I understand ... you crossed the border with boat parts in your car ?

A bill of sale and your license form proves ownership if it is a Transport Canada Licensed Vessel. If it is a Transport Canada Registered Vessel then your Registry Certificate is proof of ownership.

Unless your bill of sale lists those itemized boat parts in your car, I can't see you winning that argument.

[Rol1964]

So...a hand written bill of sale, (which I have) and my Quebec drivers license should suffice?

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Rol1964

So...a hand written bill of sale, (which I have) and my Quebec drivers license should suffice?

A written bill of sale and a copy of your boat license.

[Nekton73]

I looked into this when I bought my boat because it had been Federally registered and I was going to have to pay a substantial fee to change the registration to my name. My two options were to change the Federal registration for a fee, or apply for a Pleasure Craft License through Transport Canada for free which would require the addition of a registration number to the hull and loss of the boat name from the official Federal lists. As I planned to sail to US waters I wanted to be sure I had proof of ownership so looked into what these options would mean. The short of it was that if I kept the Federal registration then that document is all I need to prove the boat is mine. If I chose to license it, then the signed bill of sale along with the Pleasure Craft License card would constitute proof of ownership. I chose to pay the fee to change the Federal registration and keep the name, and so carry just that document (a copy actually) on board at all times.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Nekton73

I looked into this when I bought my boat because it had been Federally registered and I was going to have to pay a substantial fee to change the registration to my name.

The change of ownership fee is $120.00 for a vessel on the "Small Vessel Registry"

Originally Posted by Nekton73

or apply for a Pleasure Craft License through Transport Canada for free which would require the addition of a registration number to the hull

It is the "license number" that must be marked on the hull, not a "registration number". You can keep the vessel name, it just won't appear on the "register"

[Mike OReilly]

I bought my current boat nearly 15 years ago from the USA. I had a Bill of Sale, which itemized additional items that were included in the sale, for example a windvane and jackstands.

I sailed the boat home to Canada, importing it once I crossed back in, using the Bill of Sale. I later drove back to the USA and brought the above-mentioned items (and a few more) back to Canada by truck.

At the border I presented the itemized Bill of Sale, along with my Customs receipt showing all taxes and duties were paid on the entire purchase. I did not have to pay any additional taxes on these items. It went smoothly.

I don't know if this was normal, or if things have changed. But having an itemized Bill of Sale seemed to do the trick for me.

[Rol1964]

I'm surprised that a hand written bill of sale is the primary proof of ownership. My boat is berthed on a lake in upper New York State and will likely stay there. I live an hour away and frequently cross over as I go back and forth. I haven't "imported" the boat nor paid any taxes and I probably won't if I leave it there. So...Bill of Sale it is. Thank all for the input.

[bcboomer]

I've gone across the border dozens of times with boat parts that I've had delivered to a US parcel service and never had to prove that they were for my boat. Sometimes I get asked if they are for my own boat and sometimes what kind of parts they are. Usually, but not always, anything up to around $300 declared gets me waved through.
I think that you ran into an agent who, for whatever reason, was being an ass and you will probably never have it happen again.

[Rol1964]

Originally Posted by bcboomer

I've gone across the border dozens of times with boat parts that I've had delivered to a US parcel service and never had to prove that they were for my boat. Sometimes I get asked if they are for my own boat and sometimes what kind of parts they are. Usually, but not always, anything up to around $300 declared gets me waved through.
I think that you ran into an agent who, for whatever reason, was being an ass and you will probably never have it happen again.

My experience has almost entirely been the same as yours. I recognize all of the customs folks and they me, as I transit the same stations regularly. But I had never seen this guy before and I am certain from his interactions with the other guy (who I recognized) that he was "sent" perhaps to demonstrate how to be a dick head. Typical Canadian federal government activity...nickle and dime.